Cushion insole



June 24, 1941. w, 005 2,247,114

cusmou INSOLE Filed Oct. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. W/LFRED J 8008 H /,5' ATTORNEY/Sf June 24, 1941. w, Boos 2,247,114

CUSHION INSOLE Filed Oct. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0,9... Ill azaqet-zeia-zlaeizze INVENTOR.

W/LFRED J 5005' H/S ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 24, 194i CUSEHON DISQLE Application October 24,

Claims.

This invention relates generally to foot supports, and particularly to a cushion insole for use in boots and shoes. The object of the invention, generally stated, 1s to provide a device of the character referred to which is capable of conforming itself to the foot of the wearer, but which, when so conformed, retains a substantial resilience.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind described so constructed and arranged that the movement of the foot as in walking will be effective to cause a circulation of air in the shoe.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cushion insole made according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the top surface element of the insole shown in Figure 1, some of the auxiliary parts being shown as applied to the top surface element;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the bottom surface element of the cushion insole shown in Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a view in side elevation showing the top and bottom elements of the insole shown in Figure 1 in spaced relation ready for assembly;

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 4 showing another embodiment of the insole; and

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8.

In general, the present invention contemplates the assembly of a plurality of parts into a cushioning insole in such manner that an enveloped Void space is formed between the upper and lower layers of the cushion insole, and the materials are so selected that the varying pressure of the foot on such device during the movement of walking may be effective to inflate and deflate such enveloped void space, and thus create a circulation of air in the shoe. Advantageous results are obtained when the upper element o the assembly is perforated to release the air from the enclosed void space within, but in cases where it is desired that the cushion insole have an accentuated massaging effect up t t,

1933, Serial No. 236,853

particularly advantageous results are obtained by leaving the elements unperforated so that a substantially enclosed void space is provided Within the device.

Another feature of the present invention consists in the selection of materials from which the insole is to be made in such manner that the resultant device, While capable of conforming itself to the characteristics of the foot in connection with which it is used, nevertheless, maintains a suificient amount of resilience to be comfortable and effective.

While the device of the present invention, in accordance with the general practice, may be made with an upper surface layer of leather, or the like, particularly advantageous results are obtained when the layer of leather is backed. with a layer of flexible material having a low order of compressibility, such as vulcanized rubber-enmatriced-cork, as for example, the material resulting from the process described in the Clark Patent No. 1,551,010. The present invention contemplates, however, that the composite upper layer, just described, be supplemented with a lower layer of material which is capable of breathing, but as an alternative, in lieu of a lower layer of breathable material, the composite upper layer with its adjunct parts may be marginally cemented within a shoe so as to envelope a void space using the insole or sock lining of the shoe as the bottom closure for such void space.

Referring now particularly to the drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the present invention the cushion insole may be prepared by backing a suitable upper or cover layer l with material of the character of rubber enmatricc-d cork. This will provide a composite upper surface member consisting of, for example, a layer of leather I and a layer 2 of rubber-enmatricedcork. The layers I and 2 be unified by adhesive, or in any other suitable manner.

If it is desired to provide a device in which substantial support is afforded the main arch of the foot, an arch supporting element 3 may be secured to the composite upper surface memher. If desired, the arch supporting element may be connected only about its inside arcuate edge 4 so as to provide a pocket between the same and the composite upper surface member 9, 2. Such a pocket will provide a space into which auxiliary parts may be inserted or removed at will. One such auxiliary part in the form of a wedge shaped piece of sponge rubber 5 is shown in position in such a pocket in Figures 1 and 2.

Similarly other supporting elements especially adapted for supporting given sections of the foot may be applied. For example, a metatarsal support 6 may be applied, as shown in Figure 4. It will be understood, however, that the support 6, as well as the support 3, may be used, or omitted, according to the desires of the user.

In order to provide an advantageous support for the heel section of the foot and to facilitate the action of the device in setting up air circulation during the process of walking, a horseshoe shaped member I of compressible material, such for example as sponge rubber, may be assembled upon the composite upper surface member I at the heel end thereof, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. Such a horseshoe shaped element provides a void space centrally of the sole so that air may be enveloped therein. Moreover, the arrangement of the compressible element about the margin in the heel region provides a particularly advantageous support for the heel and one which will readily accommodate itself to almost any characteristic heel position.

In order to provide for the enveloprnent of a void space Within the cushion insole of the pres ent invention, a lower surface member, or cover, 8 is applied over the assembly of parts shown in Figure 4 and marginally secured thereto as by cementing. Such a cover element is shown clearly in Figures 6 and 7. In order to prevent the collapsing of the cover member 8 against the adjunct part to such an extent that the void space would be substantially deflated, it may be desirable to provide a plurality of compressible spaced elements, such as 9, at a variety of points upon the surface of cover member 8 which will be concealed. Such spacing elements 9 may be in the form of small wads of sponge rubber which may be adhesively joined to the surface of cover member 8. It is especially advantageous to provide such spacing elements in the central regions of cover member 8, especially in the ball area of the foot where there is great likelihood of collapsing of the parts so as to completely eliminate any void space in this area. In the assembly of the cushion insole in accordance with the present invention, however, such collapsing of the parts may be further inhibited by having the covering member 8 made of an elastic material, such as rubber, or sponge rubber, and then when the cover member 8 i applied to the composite upper surface member l with its adjunct parts, the cover member 8 may be placed under slight tension. When the parts are completely joined the tension may be released so that contraction of the cover member 8 will cause an arching of the composite upper surface member I as shown in Figure 3, while the member 8 will extend as a chord across the are formed by the member 5. Of course, when the pressure of the foot is applied centrally upon the upper surface of the device there is a tendency for the cover member 5 to stretch and permit itself to fall into parallelism with upper surface member l, thus deflating the space therebetween, but when the pressure of the foot thereon is released the parts will resume the shape shown in Figure 3, thus inflating the void space,

Any other suitable means formaintaining the upper and lower surface elements i2 and 3 separated may be employed in lieu of the compressible wads 9. For example, either of the layer of material 8, or the layer of material 2 may be provided with ridges running either longitudinally, transversely or diagonally so as to maintain a separated relation and assure that a void space will exist between the members when no pressure is applied thereon.

In some cases where it is desirable to provide a cushion insole of an especially springy character this may be accomplished by inverting the relation of the material employed in layer 2 and cover 8. In other words, the base layer of the upper surface member instead of being made of rubber-enmatriced cork might in such case be made of sponge rubber, and the lower surface member instead of being made of sponge rubber might in such case be made of rubber-enmatriced cork.

In order to make the connection between the composite upper surface layer B, 2, and the lower cover member 8 more secure, the upper surface member i may be cut with a plurality of outstanding lips, such as H, l2, and IS. The lips Ii, l2 and it may be of such proportions that they may be folded about the margin of cover member 8 and ecured to its lower surface as by adhesive in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 3. Where, as in the case of a lip extending about a curved surface of substantial length, such a lip is provided, the lip may be split as shown at E4 so as to permit the same to be folded under without creasing.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the upper surface member is provided with a plurality of perforations ill which extend entirely through the layers l and 2, as well as the other elements which are joined to the composite upper surface layer. In other words, the perforations it extend through sufficient material to communicate the exterior with internal void 7 space between the composite upper surface layer and the bottom cover member 8. These perforations IE! provide exits for the air within the void space when the pressure of the foot is applied upon the cushion insole. In the process of walking the pressure of the foot upon the cushion insole is applied progressively from one region toward another, frequently being applied from the heel toward the toe in which case the pressure compresses the members and defiates the void space so that air is blown out through apertures it. When, however, the pressure of the foot is released the parts resume their normal shape and the void space becomes inflated either by breathing through apertures it] or by breathing through cover member 8 which, if made of sponge rubber, will provide some breathability. Small perforations may even be formed in the cover member B, it being understood that such perforations, if employed, will be effectively closed by the insole of the shoe, in connection with which it is used, when pressure of the foot is applied there- In some cases it is desirable to provide an air cushion without an arrangement whereby circulation of air during walking will be created. In such case the cushion insole of the present invention will accomplish the desired end if made without the perforations, such as iii. In this case the air contained within the cushion insole will be substantially completely encased so that a massaging action upon the foot is accomplished when the pressure is applied thereon during the process of walking.

It is not necessary in all cases to employ cover member 8 for it will be understood that the parts shown in Figures 4 and may readily be secured on the inside of the hoe so that the regular insole of the shoe will form a closure and in conjunction with the parts secured to the upper surface layer l, 2 enclose a void space. In such case the assembly parts, such as shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be secured within a shoe by applying a suitable cement about the margin of the assembly, shown in Figures 4 and 5, and connecting the assembly marginally, but not centrally, to the insole of the shoe.

In Figures 8 and 9 a further embodiment of the cushion insole of the present invention is shown. In the case of this embodiment the enclosed void space between the upper and lower surface members is accentuated by the running of a marginal spacing element 20 about the complete periphery, as shown in Figure 8. The member 20 may be regarded as an extension of the horseshoe shaped member 1, shown in Figure 4, but in the present embodiment extends entirely around the periphery of the insole so as to space the composite upper surface member I, 2 at a greater distance from the cover member 8 than in the case of the previous embodiment. While in this case a thicker cushion insole may result it is evident that the spacing member 20 may be made sufficiently thin that the desired volume of void space is accomplished without making the cushion insole unduly thick. Except for the spacing member 20, the parts shown in Figures 8 and 9 correspond respectively to the parts bearing the same reference characters in the previous embodiment.

From the foregoing description it should be apparent that the present invention accomplishes its objects and that a cushion insole having desirable properties is produced. Furthermore, the cushion insole of the present invention is so constructed and arranged that it may be manufactured with facility and economy.

While in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings a full disclosure of two embodiments of the cushion insole of the present invention has been given, it is not to be understood that the invention is limited to the details of those embodiments. On the contrary, it is to be distinctly understood that various modifications, re-arrangements, and adaptations of the parts are contemplated, notwithstanding the fact that all of them may not have been herein described.

Such modifications and the use of such individual features and combinations of features as do not depart from the spirit of this invention are, therefore, to be understood as being contemplated by and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A cushion insole for shoes comprising, an upper surface member having perforations therein. a breathable lower surface member, compressible means for maintaining a spaced relation between said members, and means connecting the margins of said members together to form an enclosed void space therebetween with an exteriorly accessible pocket therebetween for the reception of a lift.

2. A cushion insole for shoes comprising, an upper surface member having perforations therein, a marginal spacing member of compressible material connected to said upper surface member, and a lower surface member marginally connected to said spacing member with an exteriorly accessible pocket therebetween for the reception of a lift.

3. A cushion insole for shoes comprising, an upper surface member, an arch supporting member attached to said surface member, a lower surface member, and means connecting said upper and lower surface members together to form an enveloped void space therebetween with an exteriorly accessible pocket therebetween for the reception of a lift.

4. A cushion insole for shoes comprising, an upper surface member, a metatarsal supporting member attached to said surface member, a lower surface member, and means connecting said upper and lower surface members together to form an enveloped void space therebetween with an exteriorly accessible pocket therebetween for the reception of a lift.

5. A cushion insole for shoes comprising, an upper surface member, an arch supporting memher and a metatarsal support member attached to said surface member, a lower surface member, and means connecting said upper and lower surface members together to form an enveloped void space therebetween with an exteriorly accessible pocket therebetween for the reception of a lift.

WILFRED J. 3005. 

